12. Not So Fast!

NOT SO FAST! 12 Sam led the group to the final hallway of the haunted house tour. The friends gasped when they saw what waited for them there. An artist's easel stood at the end of the hall. A painting of Orson Eerie stared back at them. "That painting doesn't belong there," Antonio said. "It was just hanging in the front hallway!" Lucy added. "But it's here now," Sam said. "Blocking the way out..."

The lights flickered. The hall darkened. Strange shadows ran along the lockers. The group quietly inched toward the exit. Sam felt the painting pulling him closer, like a magnet. The painting shimmered, and the colors swirled, as Orson's face came alive. His voice was weak: "I do not understand How do ALL of these sashes have powers?" Sam stepped toward the painting. "I'll tell you how!" he said. "We sewed a piece of my sash inside all of these other sashes! I've shared my hall monitor powers!"

Orson's painted mouth opened. But his voice no longer came from the painting— it came from the halls. "Do you mean that every one of these sashes contains a piece of YOUR sash?" The air turned ice-cold. Sam heard nervous whispers. He saw that the group was scared— REALLY scared. Orson's terrifying voice had cut through them. They know something bad is happening, Sam thought. They know this isn't just part of the tour. They probably want to run. Sam understood. Orson's booming voice made Sam want to run, too. But he had a job to do. He had to show Orson he wasn't scared.

Sam pointed at the painting. "That's right! You're outnumbered, Orson Eerie!" Lucy shouted, "You might have many forms—" "But we have many hall monitors!" Antonio added. "Everyone! SHOW YOUR SASHES!" But not a single sash was waved; the group was scared stiff. The lights flashed faster and faster. Then, suddenly—

CLICK! Everything went dark! The only light was from the moonlight through the windows. PWFOOM! A flame appeared. It floated in midair. The flame's heat made everyone take a step back. "I WILL NEVER LEAVE!" bellowed Orson. "I AM EERIE ELEMENTARY!" The flame grew brighter and hotter. Sam realized what it was becoming... Orson Eerie was taking the form of an enormous pumpkin. But it was a terrifying, jumbled mess of a form. The pumpkin was made from bits of cobweb and creepy decorations. The flame burned within its mouth.

Behind them, a student shrieked. "It's okay!" Antonio told the group. "This is all part of the haunted house experience!" Sam doubted anyone believed Antonio. He had seen their fearful faces. Now the monstrous pumpkin charged toward them! He had to get everyone to safety! "RUN!" yelled Sam.